JWR,
Thanks for the recent post mentioning GovLiquidation.com [1]-listed auctions in response to a reader’s question about concertina wire. While browsing the site, I found lots of generator sets (“gensets [2]“) offered and I am wondering if there are any caveats a buyer should be aware of before purchasing (besides the long drive to retrieve a purchase). Thanks for all you do for the SurvivalBlog community. – G.R. in Texas
JWR Replies: Military surplus (“milsurp [3]“) gensets are generally a bargain. But unfortunately, the days of incredibly cheap milsurp generator auctions is gone. This is because the scrap copper merchants will now be there to run up the bidding. (The large copper windings on the generators are now fairly valuable for scrap. Therefore, even if the genset is not working, there is now a “floor” under the auction prices. The only exception would be if you are lucky enough to go to a lightly-attended “sleeper” auction.
Here are my recommendations:
- Check the genset’s data plate carefully. This will tell you a lot about its maker, model, specifications, and year of manufacture.
- Be sure the check the genset’s “Hours” meter before bidding. (If it has one. Most military generators do.)
- Check the dip stick for the oil color (the oil should look brown, not black!) and for any signs of coolant contamination [4], which would indicate a leaking head gasket in water-cooled gensets.
- Depending on the local efficiency of DRMO [5] auction yard, military gensets can come complete with maintenance records typically in a manila folder or in a plastic log book. If you are fortunate and the genset that you plan to bid on has a maintenance log, then read through it thoroughly before bidding.
- If the genset is trailer-mounted, then be sure to check the condition of the trailer tires. You will also need to buy a military style (pintle and ring) trailer hitch [6] for your pickup’s receiver before you travel to bid on a trailer-mounted genset. Be prepared!
- If you plan to buy a small skid-mounted generator, then bring a couple of beefy friends with you, and a sturdy loading ramp for your pickup or trailer. OBTW, one great trick is using five or six 3-foot lengths of 1-1/2-inch diameter steel pipe that you can use as rollers. Generators can be quite heavy!
- If the genset that you buy does not come with a manual, then you should be able to find one in PDF online, or on an inexpensive CD-ROM [7]. These include user-level Field Manuals (FMs), Technical Manuals (TMs), Technical Bulletins (TBs), and Lubrication Orders (LOs).
OBTW, a few of the recent generation of Kubota [8] three-cylinder diesel gensets are now starting to work their way out of service and to military surplus yards. If you can find one of those, then snag it! They are fantastically reliable. They can also burn JP-4 [9] and even biodiesel.